MIRACLE BOY’S MOTHER RAISES €5,700 FOR HOSPITALS
THE mother of a boy born 14-weeks premature last March has raised €5,700 for two Cork facilities that helped her son survive and facilitated her and her husband to be close by during his first 100 days, all spent in hospital.
Avril Butler (30) completed her 100k challenge on Sunday, raising vital funds for Cork University Hospital maternity unit and Bru Columbanus.
Charlie is thriving ahead of his first birthday this Wednesday and his mother said she is delighted to have been able to raise money for both facilities.
Primary school teacher Avril undertook a 100km challenge in early February to raise money for Bru Columbanus and CUH, running within 5km of her Gusserane home.
Charlie weighed just 640g (1 lb 7oz) when he was born. He spent the first 100 days of his life in hospital receiving life-saving treatment. Avril and her husband Rhyan were given a 50/50 survival prognosis.
`That is why to us he is such a little miracle, especially with everything else going on in the world. He is a good news story,’ Avril said in an interview with this newspaper last month.
Rhyan stayed at Bru Columbanus five minutes from CUH throughout. Bru Columbanus provides 26 ensuite family rooms with a supporting kitchen and lounge where families can meet other families who are in similar situations and can lend support and understanding to each other and draw on their shared experiences. They rely on fundraising to fund this fantastic facility and the Butlers would love to support them in continuing their work.
Avril said: `I completed the challenge this morning, all 100km! It was great to be able to finish in the sunshine! We raised €5,700 in total which was amazing! We were blown away with the support the fundraiser received and over 200 kind and generous donations were made in the 28 days. We are just so very grateful to each and every person that donated and must say a special word of thanks to our friends, family and neighbours who showed such support and sent such lovely messages to us throughout the month. We are delighted to be able to give back to both CUMH and Bru Columbanus.’
She said: ‘It is fantastic to be able to support two places so close to our heart and in turn, help other families who may have a loved one face their own difficult journey through the hospital.’
Now that the fundraiser and 100km challenge is over, Avril and Rhyan have a very busy start to the month of March, with Charlie’s first birthday on Wednesday.
‘It is certainly an emotional time reflecting on the last year, but we are so very proud of all our little boy has overcome in the past 12 months and have so many reasons to celebrate!’